Chapter 25
IN THE EVENING, under the cover of growing darkness, the main tower of the Scriptorium was like a ghost town. Since Sady had ordered the bell to be rung, there had been no more lessons, no more students talking quietly in alcoves, no more bows and whispers as an academic passed. Just a solitary door attendant on the ground floor who assured Sady that yes, the Most Learned Alius was in the building.
Sady made his way from the ground floor entrance hall up the spiral walkway that circled the inside of the tower. A soft red carpet absorbed his footfalls, and the rich hand-crafted book cases along the walls spoke of history and knowledge contained in this place.
Orsan walked behind him like a shadow. Under normal circumstances, anyone bearing arms was not allowed in the Scriptori
